Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

On statistics, one very serious issue came up over the summer which concerns children in State care. This issue has come to the fore. Statistics that have been released to me by Tusla show that on average last month there were 67 children residing in special emergency accommodation. This figure excludes unaccompanied minors or separated children. One year ago the average was about 40. There has also been an increase in the number of separated children or unaccompanied minors who are seeking international protection living in special emergency accommodation. In July of this year that figure stood at 93 such children in special emergency arrangements, SEAs, while in October of last year it was only 17. We are, therefore, seeing a massive increase in the number of children being put into special emergency accommodation. It is important to note that in its letter to me Tusla said that these are mostly unregulated placements, they are in rented accommodation in apartments and houses and they are staffed with third party staff who may not be vetted and who are not regulated at all. This is an absolutely stunning situation, which is very difficult, where children most in trouble and most vulnerable have been placed in State care - often in residential State care because this is the last resort location we have to help them - and the Government is not using the regulated organisations such as the businesses that are supplying facilities there. They are now using, at a massive cost to themselves, special emergency accommodation where there is no regulation and no vetting. I am stunned to think that the State would place children who are so vulnerable into such a place. It is an absolute scandal.

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